I bought 5 cherries last Sunday and I did a water change today. I took out 2 gallons out of my 5 gallon tank.. And replaced it with another two gallons I prepared yesterday with prime. The water was probably 3 degrees off from the tank temp.. I siphoned the new water in and afterwards I see the cherries darting all over the place.. Like EVERYWHERE.

Now I have a shrimp or two that were sideways, and went right side up after I prod it.. So I'm guessing those two shrimp are going to pass on soon.

They are extremely sensitive to changes in water parameters, eg temp, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate. Also how you pour the water in matters a lot. I had 2 died on me in the beginning when I "drop" the water in too high creating a strong current that swirls them around in the tank. They don't take stress too well.

I'd suggest at least get the temp of new water within 1-2f Max diff from tank water. Also if these shrimps were not native to the tank, meaning you bought them versus babies born at the tank, they tend to be even more sensitive to changes.

IME babies born native to the tank are hardier to the higher nitrate than their immigrant parents. HTH

IME, shrimps coming from the lfs can be a little more delicate. I've sourced most of my rcs and other neos from hobbyists and they're super hardy. I would refrain from big water changes ...

I keep all of mine in unheated tanks. I believe their prefered temperature is around 70. Due shrimp's sensitivity towater parameters as a whole, higher temp= hugher metabolism which makes tem more susceptible to changes.

IME, shrimps coming from the lfs can be a little more delicate. I've sourced most of my rcs and other neos from hobbyists and they're super hardy. I would refrain from big water changes ...

I keep all of mine in unheated tanks. I believe their prefered temperature is around 70. Due shrimp's sensitivity towater parameters as a whole, higher temp= hugher metabolism which makes tem more susceptible to changes.

+1
i heard from my local breeder that his RCS and Crystal shrimp (even more delicate species) died in the hot LA summers when the ambient temp is 100F+ and the tank temp is 84f without a chiller : ok for betta but not the shrimps.

I used to use PRIME, but have been using AmQuel+ because of the baby betta in there. In a previous post on this forum, effectiveness of PRIME is 24-48 hrs depending on the pH. My pH was 7.4 and so effectiveness was reduced to 24hrs. So AmQuel will do it for me for now. I also use Stress Coat+ every now and then.]

also, I turn on the airstone at night so the shrimps have oxygen when there is photosyntheis is slowed down at night. you can tell they (RCS) need it when they are not as red and stay closer to the top versus eating/staying on the substrate.

I used to use PRIME, but have been using AmQuel+ because of the baby betta in there. In a previous post on this forum, effectiveness of PRIME is 24-48 hrs depending on the pH. My pH was 7.4 and so effectiveness was reduced to 24hrs. So AmQuel will do it for me for now. I also use Stress Coat+ every now and then.].

Do you mean the water is good for 24-48 hours AFTER I put the prime in, or I have to let it sit for 24-48 hours BEFORE I put it in? I think it's after I put it in, but just making sure.

I'm going to pick up some RCS from someone on craigslist soon.. .66 each.. Probably 20 or 30 shrimp. a lot better than the 1.98 I paid at the LFS -.-;; haha lesson learned